Orlando Woman Charged With DUI With Serious Bodily Injury After Crash Critically Injuring 2 Young Children In Frostproof Crash

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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May 22, 2023

32-year-old Ashauntie Cox (DOB 2/15/1991) of Orlando, who caused serious bodily harm to two children in her vehicle while fleeing from two crashes and driving under the influence, was arrested in Polk County on Friday, May 19, 2023, and charged with several felonies.

According to witnesses and information developed during the investigation, the first crash occurred around 8:00 p.m. on US Hwy 27 at the intersection with US Hwy 98 near Frostproof. Cox was driving a blue Kia southbound on Hwy 27 when she struck a grey Chevy Silverado pickup truck and then fled at a high rate of speed. As she continued to recklessly speed south down Hwy 27, weaving in and out of slower moving traffic, she rear-ended a 2016 Honda CRV while trying to pass between that SUV and the vehicle next to it which were both also going southbound. The victim driving the CRV was taken to Sebring Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.

The collision caused Cox’s vehicle to flip several times, ejecting two Orlando children, ages 5 and 8 years old. Both sustained significant injuries, and they were taken to Tampa General Hospital where they are both in critical condition. A 27-year-old female passenger was also seriously injured along her spinal cord, hip, and back. She remains at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in stable condition.

When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, they detected the odor of marijuana and located a bottle of tequila in Cox’s vehicle. Cox was transported to the hospital and interview by deputies. Cox told deputies they were driving from Orlando to Avon Park to celebrate the 5-year-old’s kindergarten graduation. She admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day, and to having four shots of tequila. Her blood was drawn for further analysis, and she displayed several signs of impairment.

She was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being charged with:

· Three counts DUI with serious bodily injury (F3)

· Two counts negligent child abuse with great bodily harm (F2)

· Reckless driving (F3)

· One count DUI with property damage (M1)

· One count DUI (M2)

Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

“This woman had no regard for anyone’s life when she got behind the wheel intoxicated and then drove recklessly down a major highway, but what’s worse is the blatant disregard she had for the lives of the innocent children in her car. I expect a successful prosecution to hold her accountable—and let’s hope she loses her driving privileges if she’s released from jail or prison. Please keep these babies and their families in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

In Loving Memory of Samuel “Mark” Crissman, 73, of Lake Wales

Obituaries

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January 29, 2025

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Samuel “Mark” Crissman, 73

Samuel “Mark” Crissman of Lake Wales passed away Friday, January 17, 2025 at AdventHealth Lake Wales.

He was born December 17, 1951 in Belle Glade to the late Samuel and Virginia Crissman; he moved to Lake Wales from Wellington in 1990. Mark was a retired area manager for S.W. Engineers. He was an active member of Lake Wales Alliance Church. Mark enjoyed playing softball and he was named Athlete of the Year his senior year of high school.

Mark is survived by his wife of 47 years, Irene L. Crissman; sister, Bettye L. Maxwell of Clermont; and brother, Mitchell C. Crissman (Kim) of Riviera Beach.

A memorial service will be held at Lake Wales Alliance Church on Saturday, February 8, 2025. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor can be sent to Lake Wales Alliance Church.

Lake Wales Charter Schools Board of Trustees: Rumors and Mistrust Remain Present in LWCS

carl

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January 29, 2025

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Lake Wales Charter Schools Board of Trustees: Rumors and Mistrust Remain Present in LWCS

BY ANITA TODD, Special Reports

Note: In an earlier version of this article, a quote from Michael Flood was mistakenly credited to Rafael Unzueta. We profoundly apologize to Mr. Flood & Mr. Unzueta for this mistake. The corrected version of the article follows.

LAKE WALES – Addressing rumors created by mistrust among those in the Lake Wales Charter School system wasn’t on the meeting’s agenda. However, it was a topic discussed at length during the Board of Trustee Work Session on Jan. 21.

The meeting focused almost entirely on rewriting the system’s bylaws. Much of that discussion focused on what the new leader of the organization will be called: Superintendent, CEO or something else and how the changes will affect the organizational chart.

Lori Hutto, Trustee, PhD in Education and the Chair of the Education Department, Warner University, was the first to bring up the subject.

“Going back to the organization chart … I just want to caution that there is still a lot of mistrust among our employees. I’ve heard from principals and teachers that we were going to vote on our organizational chart tonight with the intention of appointing. So, I’m okay with us revisiting, but I really want to caution us to get the input of our principals if we are going to revisit our organizational structure,” Dr. Hutto said.

‘Because being in education, I feel like the top person needs to be something academic in their title. And, going to CEO, if I was a principal in the system, I would feel this board is taking my power away by naming the head person the CEO because we have said over and over our principals are the CEOs of their schools. I would just be afraid of that … just the interpretations that people may have … just to get more input if we are going to revisit the organizational structure.”

“We are not voting on any of these items tonight,” said Danny Gill, Chair of the Board of Trustees, MBA, Marion Nelson Funeral Home. “This is just all discussion.”

Andy Blair, Trustee, Pastor and Executive Director at Refuge on the Ridge, spoke about the need to stay focused on the children’s educations and not the rumors.

“We spend so much time worried about whose got what job, whose doing what in the central office. We need to be worried about the education of our kids, and what’s happening in our schools. Principals don’t run the system. They need to run the schools. They need to be worried about facilities, test scores, staff development … things like that,” he said. “This rumor stuff about we are trying to do this … I don’t have time for that. Nope! None of us do. We have other things to do. So, these rumors that go around… They are just rumors. People are going to talk. You can’t stop it. I just wish I knew where all this came from.”

Michael Flood, Trustees, said that he had also heard that the Board was going to select a new Superintendent during that same meeting.

“I understand that rumors can be frustrating. Working on this board, I really do believe that all of you are up here in good faith, but I think it is a mistake to dismiss the distrust among the employees because it is real and what Dr. Hutto said before … I fielded a whole bunch of questions. I literally got multiple emails saying, ‘They are picking the CEO tonight.’ That’s not what’s happening … that’s not on the (agenda) … but to straight out dismiss it is to say that there is a fundamental mistrust among the employees, and we are going to ignore it. It’s a real thing,” Flood said.

Blair said he didn’t want to be misunderstood. “I’m saying that we have a cultural issue and we gotta fix it. I know it is real. Trust me. I hear it myself. I’m just telling you that from my perspective, I don’t know how to fix that because it does come about. The rumors come about. Who in the world would say that we are going to pick a CEO today? I mean, who makes that up? … Where does that come from? I think it’s a long-standingcultural sickness that we have and we gotta fix it,” he said.

This comes after years of rumors and mistrust in the System, most recently concerning the hiring and firing of ex-Superintendent Wayne Rodolfich.

During the meeting, the Board discussed the Bylaws and revisions although no final decisions were made. The next meeting will be held Feb. 24.

Gill said the next leader of the LWCS system will not be determined during that meeting but at a later date.

Citizens Bank Announces Big Changes in Top Offices

Maria Iannucci

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January 29, 2025

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Citizens Bank Announces Big Changes in Top Offices

CEO Greg Littleton, Citizens Bank and Trust

Greg Littleton, Chief Executive Officer and president of Citizen’s Bank & Trust, will be stepping back from his role at the end of this year. This is just one of a handful of changes happening at the highest levels of the company in the coming year.

A press release on the matter has been shared by the company, which announces the following changes:

Citizens Bank & Trust president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Greg Littleton, has announced that 2025 will be his last year working full time in the role of president. Citizens Bank & Trust board member, Steven E. Crisman, has been named president and will formally join the leadership team on March 31, 2025. Littleton will remain as CEO for the remainder of 2025.

Steve holds a Certified Public Accountant designation and is a lifelong resident of Polk County. Most recently he served as Director, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Six/Ten, LLC, a downtown redevelopment real estate company located in Winter Haven, Florida. His professional background includes financial management, strategic planning, business operations, and customer relations. Steve holds an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Polk State College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from The University of South Florida. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and is also a past board chair of the organization. A long-time advisory board member for the Bank, he joined the Bank’s Board of Directors in 2024.

“A succession plan has been in the works for several years, and the timing of the plan worked well to implement in 2025,” said Greg Littleton, president and CEO. “Steve’s professional background as a CPA, business owner and entrepreneur, along with his strong commitment to community and civic involvement, make him a great choice to lead Citizens Bank & Trust. Together, I look forward to growing our banking relationships throughout our service area.”

Littleton joined Citizens Bank & Trust in 1997 and was named president in 2001. In 2022, he was recognized as Banker of the Year by the Florida Bankers Association (FBA). He currently serves as a member of the Polk State College District Board of Trustees, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for AdventHealth Polk Market, Polk Vision, Winter Haven Economic Development Council, and FBA BankPac. He is the current campaign chair for the United Way of Central Florida.

Littleton is a past chair of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, East Polk Committee of 100, Central Florida Development Council (CFDC), United Way of Central Florida, Polk Vision, Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Florida Hospital, Polk State College District Board of Trustees, Polk County Public Schools Efficiency Commission, and FBA BankServ. He has also previously served on the boards of the Bartow Economic Development Council, Lake Wales Arts Center, Polk Museum of Art, Florida Bankers Association, FBA Governmental Relations Council, Polk County Industrial Development Authority, and the Florida Statewide Passenger Rail Commission.

“Over the past twenty-four years, Greg has made a significant impact to the growth and footprint of the Bank that my grandfather founded in 1920,” stated Latimer “Coot” Wilson, Chairman of the Board. “His strategic vision and dedication to our customers, employees, and the community has been unprecedented in our company history. On behalf of the shareholders and board of directors, I’d like to express my appreciation to Greg, and I look forward to working with both him and Steve as we continue to serve the financial needs of our community and business partners.”

Additionally, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Weymon Snuggs will continue full time in his current role throughout 2025. In 2026, he will transition to a part-time arrangement, continuing to serve the Lakeland Market. Snuggs has been very active in the community since coming to Lakeland in 1997. He currently serves on the YMCA Board of Directors and several committees for other nonprofit organizations. Snuggs is a past board chair of Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) Systems, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Polk Museum of Art, United Way of Central Florida, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, and Lakeland Vision. He previously served on the boards of Orlando Health, VISTE, LRH Foundation, the Lakeland Chamber Foundation, and the Lakeland Firefighter Pension Fund Board. In 2008, he chaired the United Way of Central Florida Campaign, and in 2015 received the George W. Jenkins Volunteer of the Year award.

Current Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Chad Tagtow, will become COO in January 2026, with a focus on operations, efficiencies, and technology. Tagtow joined the Bank in 2004 and has held progressive leadership roles, most recently serving as Chief Innovation Officer.

In Loving Memory of Glenda Eileene Ellis, 76, of Frostproof

Obituaries

Maria Iannucci

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January 28, 2025

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Glenda Eileene Ellis, 76

Glenda Eileene Ellis of Frostproof passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at her residence.

She was born December 22, 1948 in Atmore, AL to the late Glenn and Thelma Henson; she came here as a child from Alabama. She was retired from Cargill and a member of the Church of God. She was a tribal citizen of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She enjoyed watching her soap operas, going to casinos and her bowling league.

Glenda was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gary Henson. Survivors include her daughter, Brenda Pruitt and husband, Gary of Frostproof; sons, Bryan Hutto and wife, Denisha of Fairfield, IL, Stacy Gregg Jr and fiancée, Kendall Townsend of Frostproof, Michael Hutto and wife, Billie of Frostproof and Davis Ellis and wife, Natasha of Frostproof; 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Frostproof Church of God with Rev. Sam Haag. Interment will follow at Silver Hill Cemetery.

Shooting Investigation Underway as Shots are Fired Near Scenic Hwy.

Maria Iannucci

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January 28, 2025

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Shooting Investigation Underway as Shots are Fired Near Scenic Hwy.

Citizens in Lake Wales reported hearing shots fired in an area near the city of Lake Wales tennis courts this afternoon.

Lake Wales Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Dale Hampton states that at approximately 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, shots were reportedly fired near the area of Scenic Hwy. and Osceola Ave. in Lake Wales.

The preliminary investigation is said to have shown shots being fired at a white vehicle, which, at the time of publication of the story, has not been located.

LWPD has taken two juveniles in custody with regard to the shooting, and a firearm has been recovered. The names of the juveniles will not be released to the public at this time.

Hampton says there is no immediate threat to the public at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information with regard to this incident is encouraged to contact Lake Wales Police Department.

Lake Wales Little Theater Holding Auditions for Vintage Hitchcock Production Feb. 3-4

Maria Iannucci

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January 28, 2025

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Lake Wales Little Theater Holding Auditions for Vintage Hitchcock Production Feb. 3-4

Those with a flair for the stage, a desire to see a community project succeed, and anyone looking to have some fun and make new friends are welcome at the upcoming auditions for Vintage Hitchcock – A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry, the next production of the season for Lake Wales Little Theatre.

Auditions will be held on February 3rd, 4th, 2025, at 7PM each evening, at the theater, located at 411 N. 3rd St., Lake Wales.

The show is scheduled to run March 28 – April 13, 2025.

The production is suggestive of a 1940s radio station. Spies, murder, love, and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast of the master of suspense’s earlier films.

With The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps, Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play is a triple feature, complete with vintage commercials, that recreates a daring train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence, and a devastating explosion through the magic of live sound effects.

The director of the production is Lesley Wassom.

In Loving Memory of Fay Ellen Barry, of Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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January 28, 2025

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In Loving Memory of Fay Ellen Barry, of Lake Wales

Fay Ellen Barry of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Scott Lake Health and Rehabilitation in Lakeland.

She was born July 4, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Clarence and Verna Fairchild; she moved to Lake Wales in 2005. Fay was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.

Fay was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Barry in 2016; daughter, Candy Evans; and grandson, Troy, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Cindy Price (Randy), Cathy Noel, and Carra Price (Raymond); sons, Robert Barry, Jr. and Troy Barry (Emma); grandchildren, Rhiannon, Niles, Robert, III, Alena, Michael, Kayla, Jessica, Ellery, Contessa, Jolene, Eddie, Crystal, Randy, Jr., Paul, Brianna and 20 great- grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales.

One Person Transported For Medical Care After Car Hits Medical Transport In Frostproof

carl

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January 27, 2025

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One Person Transported For Medical Care After Car Hits Medical Transport In Frostproof

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident in Frostproof Monday afternoon. According to information, gathered by Lake Wales Daily, the accident occurred at 4:37pm. The crash involved an Elite Medical Transport and a small white car. The accident occurred at the intersection of CR630/Fort Meade Rd. and Par Dr.

Vehicle involved in accident. Right front is damaged.

According to initial information one person was transported for treatment.

File Photo of Elite Medical Transport Ambulance

The roadway was partially blocked for about an hour.

Motorcycle vs. Vehicle Crash at Scenic Hwy. N and 640

Maria Iannucci

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January 27, 2025

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Motorcycle vs. Vehicle Crash at Scenic Hwy. N and 640

On Monday, January 27, 2025, a traffic collision reportedly involving a motorcycle was reported at 11:00 a.m. at or near the intersection of Scenic Hwy. N. and Hwy. 640.

The accident reportedly involves a motorcycle vs. vehicle, with rollover and heavy damage.

Expect significant road blockage and heavy presence of first responders.

UPDATE: 1/27/25, 11:55 a.m.: Katelyn Hoverkamp, public information officer at Polk County Fire Rescue, says PCFR crews were dispatched at 11:06 a.m. to a traffic collision reported at the Scenic Hwy N/Hwy 640 intersection in Lake Wales.

“Upon PCFR’s arrival at 11:06 a.m., crews located three patients. While on scene, two of those patients were evaluated and declined medical transport. The third patient involved was transported from the scene via AirCare.,” says Hoverkamp.

“No additional injuries were reported. No additional patients were transported.”

UPDATE 1/27/25 12:24 p.m.:

Hoverkamp provides this secondary update:

“Three total patients were transported from the scene. One patient was transported via AirCare upon PCFR’s initial arrival.

“The two patients who declined seeking further medical evaluation when PCFR crews were on scene initially, requested for Polk County Fire Rescue crews to return back and then the two additional patients were transported via ambulance for further evaluation from the scene.”

Avoid this area if possible. This article will be updated when receive additional information from law enforcement.

Vehicle Crash on Hwy. 60 in Kenansville Causing Heavy Backup into Polk near Lake Kissimmee

Maria Iannucci

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January 27, 2025

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Vehicle Crash on Hwy. 60 in Kenansville Causing Heavy Backup into Polk near Lake Kissimmee

Hwy. 60 E from the county line at 9:15 a.m. Photo provided by D. Mixon

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a traffic collision was reported around 7:38 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025 on Hwy. 60 and Peavine Rd, near Kenansville. The crash is in Osceola County, east of Polk.

Video provided by D. Mixon

FHP’s website denotes that there are injuries and road blockage as a result of the crash.

Expect delays on 60 if headed east.

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